The German residence permit is a temporary permit for family members of German citizens/residents that authorizes them to come and stay on German soil. Additionally, foreigners who want to join their family who are living in Germany are also required to apply for this Germany Residence permit.
Who is Eligible for a German Residence Permit for Family Reunion?
Not all individuals are eligible for this type of permit. Eligible applicants are the ones that:
- are a spouse of the partner of German resident/citizen
- are an unmarried child of German resident/citizen
- are parents or legal guardians of unmarried, minor German citizens.
Like with any other permit, some exceptions apply. In this case, citizens of the following countries do not need a residence permit in order to visit their family in Germany. These countries include: all European Union states, European Economic Area countries, Australia, Japan, Israel, Canada, New Zealand, Republic of South Korea, and the US. The only condition for these citizens is that they are required to register with German authorities once they arrive in Germany.
Application for a Germany Family Residence Permit
To apply for a German family residence permit, the following steps must be completed so the permit is granted. These steps are standard procedures that apply to all countries.
First, obtain a German family reunion visa (if you’re a citizen from a country that is not listed above then obtaining a visa is an essential step). The specific application steps for a German family reunion visa are as follows:
- fill out a visa application form
- gather supporting documents including visa photo
- arrange a visa interview
- attend the interview, answer questions about the trip, and present supporting documents
- pay a fee of 75 euros for a visa to be issued
The entire process of application processing lasts about 3 weeks.
Once you enter Germany, a person has two weeks to register the address that they will stay under. This registration process requires candidates to show a document that confirms the address such as bills or rental agreement.
Then, individuals can apply for a German Family Residency permit – an appointment needs to be made with German Immigration authorities. During the appointment, all required documents must be presented and an application fee should be paid. The required documents include:
- standard required documents: valid passport, application form, two visa photos, proof of accommodation, itinerary plan and reservations, a statement confirming financial stability
- confirmation letter of registered address
- health insurance (this is mandatory for any residence permit, it must cover illnesses, accidents, repatriation in case of death)
- proficiency of German language (A1 language knowledge at minimum)
- proof for spouse or children (marriage certificate, birth certificate, passport copy, proof of nationality and identity or proof of custody by guardian residing in Germany).
A German family residence permit fee varies depending on the age. For adults, the cost is 56-100 euros, whilst for minors 28-50 euros. An exemption applies to Turkish nationals who want to reunite with family members in Germany – the fee for them is a maximum of 28 euros for a residency permit.
German Family Residence Permit – Validity
The validity of such a permit is usually one year. However, a German family residence permit is likely to lead to permanent residency. Hence, if a person decides to stay longer in Germany and fulfil conditions when it comes to permanent residency, they may obtain permanent resident status.
German Visa Photo
When taking a visa photo it is essential to familiarize yourself with the format and general guidelines of the photo. The general format of German visa photo is:
- 35x45mm in size
- 600×600 pixels in digital form (maximum of 1200×1200 pixels)
- photo must be in colour (no white and black)
- photo must have a white background
- photo must be no older than 6 months
Regarding the candidate’s posture, they must stand straight (at least 40 cm away from the camera), look into the camera lens, have eyes open and mouth closed. Applicants should also keep a straight face as smiling or frowning is not permitted, and have their hair tied back (headwear along with tinted glasses or sunglasses are also forbidden). Prescription glasses are allowed with a doctor’s prescription, the same applies to headwear and medical reasons of religious beliefs. It is advised to wear daily, casual clothes. Uniforms or white, reflective clothing will cause the picture to be rejected.
Employment in Germany With a Family Residence Permit & Standard German Language Requirements
When it comes to working, German law allows family reunion residents to have the right to be employed. This is only true if the following conditions apply: family member in Germany is on residence permit that authorizes employment for themselves, a family member has an EU blue card, a family member is in Germany on status as a researcher of the highly skilled person.The requirement when it comes to the German language is to know the basics. Hence, language tests are likely to be done, if the following statements are not true: a family member has an EU blue card, a family member is in Germany due to their high qualifications and skills, a family member has a disability that exempts them from learning, a family member has a university degree that proves language abilities.
